AHRQ Begins Process of Updating EHC Comparative Effectiveness Reviews

Evidence-based Practice Centers across the Effective Health Care (EHC) Program have begun the process of updating the Comparative Effectiveness Reviews published in the past 4 years. Currently, 10 reviews are being updated to reflect the most recent and accurate information on the comparative benefits and harms of drug therapies that range from the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptors (ARBs) for essential hypertension to nonopioid analgesics for inflammatory arthritis. AHRQ plans to release many of these updates during 2010.

The information that will be updated in each of the reviews depends upon the amount of new research that has transpired since the previous review, the addition or removal of treatments or therapies that were originally reviewed, and the changes in clinical contexts that might affect decisions about the tests or treatments being compared. The Evidence-based Practice Centers assembled Technical Expert Groups to update the topics. In addition, the Southern California Evidence-based Practice Center conducted an initial assessment of the conclusions from all the EHC Program reviews to determine whether new evidence has changed their validity. In consultation with the Technical Expert Groups, this guide is used to determine what may or may not be needed to provide up-to-date findings for clinicians, consumers, and policymakers.

The following reviews are currently being updated:

• Comparative Effectiveness of ACEIs and ARBs for Treating Essential Hypertension
• Effectiveness of Noninvasive Diagnostic Tests for Breast Abnormalities
• Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Analgesics for Osteoarthritis
• Effectiveness of Epoetin and Darbepoetin for Managing Anemia in Patients Undergoing Cancer Treatment
• Comparative Effectiveness of Management Strategies for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
• Comparative Effectiveness of Treatments To Prevent Fractures in Men and Women With Low Bone Density or Osteoporosis
• Second-Generation Antidepressants in the Pharmacologic Treatment of Adult Depression
• Efficacy and Comparative Effectiveness of Off-Label Use of Atypical Antipsychotics
• Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Oral Diabetes Medications for Adults With Type 2 Diabetes
• Comparative Effectiveness of Therapies for Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer